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  • Ending America’s Reading Crisis - Dr. Artika Tyner - Sept. 6, 2025 (Southwest)

    Dr. Artika Tyner will address the nation’s current reading crisis and host a book drive to collect culturally diverse books to support the work of a literacy non -profit, Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute. Join Dr. Tyner from 10 am-Noon on Sat. Sept 6th for her monthly "Readers are Leaders" event at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Option to bring a culturally-diverse children's book. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.
  • Entrepreneurship Certificate (Online at your own pace)

    Transform your new or small business into a success while minimizing your risks. Begin by exploring the latest methods for planning your business and generating ideas. Use a checklist to help you set up your business. Then, learn to create a business plan by assessing feasibility and preparing management and financial plans. Follow a step-by-step approach to attract and retain customers, with a focus on customer-driven marketing decisions and brand building. Identify the abilities that successful entrepreneurs possess and how to acquire them, set goals to establish your business, develop an outline for your plan, and learn techniques for managing and marketing your new business. Courses: Entrepreneur Boot Camp The Business Plan Entrepreneurial Marketing Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Entrepreneur Boot Camp Unit 1: What is an Entrepreneur? Checklist For Going Into Business Are You A Potential Entrepreneur? Success, Self-Esteem and Goals Brainstorming Business Ideas Unit 2: As You Start Your Business Selecting A Legal Structure Licensing And Registrations Planning Your Business Unit 3: Using Technology The Essential Eleven Computer Skills Marketing Strategies Internet Opportunities Unit 4: Managing Your Business Financial Statements Record Keeping And Taxes Grants And Government Programs The Business Plan Unit 1: Getting Started—Refine your concept and begin your plan Prepare your concept statement—What, Who, Why, When, and How. Identify product/service features and benefits. Identify limitation, liabilities, and regulations. Write your Business Description and evaluate it against a Business Description checklist. Unit 2: Prepare the Marketing Plan Conduct an industry and competitive analysis. Perform a market analysis and identify target markets and a market penetration strategy. Identify your pricing strategy. Write your Marketing Plan and evaluate it against a Marketing Plan checklist. Unit 3: Prepare the Management and Financial Plans Identify key people and positions, duties and responsibilities. Determine funding needs and sources. Create sales and expense estimates. Write your Management and Financial Plans and evaluate them against checklists. Unit 4: Complete the Business Plan and Assess Business Feasibility Polish the plan and add final elements—Cover Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents. Evaluate business plan against checklist and identify items in need of additional work. Assess business against feasibility checklist. Identify next steps. Entrepreneurial Marketing Unit 1: The Customer as the Driver Marketing Decisions Framework Positioning Your Product or Service Marketing Strategies and Goals Unit 2: Communicating Value to Customers Key Selling Messages Creating Emotional Connections Personal Selling Networking: Your 30-Second Introduction Unit 3: Creating a Strong Brand Managing the Marketing Mix Marketing on a Shoestring Budget Your Marketing Calendar Implementing Your Plan Unit 4: Building Customer Relationships Tools to Meet Your Strategic Goals Online Opportunities and Social Media Checklist Generating Buzz: Word-of-Mouth Marketing Measuring Effectiveness
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    Dale Cruse (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

    Field Map My Park: Matthews Park (Summer)

    This course is a combination of an introduction to field mapping and a naturalist lesson. Day 1 will be the "Naturalists in the Park Day." Fun for all ages (bring your kids). We will learn how to make various measurements of trees and document our observations on a map. Day 2 will be a computer lab day where we will enter our data onto OpenStreetMap, query their database for the edits, and finally map and analyze the information with QGIS. If you do not have access to a laptop, please email andrew.kallevig@mpls.k12.mn.us and we will try to make accommodations for the computer portion of the class.
  • Dale Cruse (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

    Field Map My Park: Farview Park (Summer)

    This course is a combination of an introduction to field mapping and a naturalist lesson. Day 1 will be the "Naturalists in the Park Day." Fun for all ages (bring your kids). We will learn how to make various measurements of trees and document our observations on a map. Day 2 will be a computer lab day where we will enter our data onto OpenStreetMap, query their database for the edits, and finally map and analyze the information with QGIS. If you do not have access to a laptop, please email andrew.kallevig@mpls.k12.mn.us and we will try to make accommodations for the computer portion of the class.
  • Fly Fishing: Intro (Southwest)

    Go Fly Fishing with Derrick Hanson from "Fish the Driftless"! This five-hour course includes both dry land and on-the-water fishing. Day begins with a one-hour introduction to fly fishing where your instructor will provide an overview of the basics of fly fishing. You’ll discuss the gear, flies, and learn to tie common fishing knots. Following the class is a thirty-minute dry land casting lesson where you’ll learn and practice the basic overhead fly cast. Following the casting lesson, you’ll get fitted with waders/boots and hit the stream where you’ll have the chance to put everything you learned into practice. We provide all the equipment necessary. However, you are welcome to bring your own gear if you would like. Location: Wisconsin, 1-1:30 hr drive from Twin Cities (exact location will be communicated to students prior to event). Cost Per Person: $125 (Plus, one day WI fishing license and trout stamp @ $25) NOTE: Space is limited to 6 participants. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Fly Fishing: Intro (Southwest)

    Go Fly Fishing with Derrick Hanson from "Fish the Driftless"! This five-hour course includes both dry land and on-the-water fishing. Day begins with a one-hour introduction to fly fishing where your instructor will provide an overview of the basics of fly fishing. You’ll discuss the gear, flies, and learn to tie common fishing knots. Following the class is a thirty-minute dry land casting lesson where you’ll learn and practice the basic overhead fly cast. Following the casting lesson, you’ll get fitted with waders/boots and hit the stream where you’ll have the chance to put everything you learned into practice. We provide all the equipment necessary. However, you are welcome to bring your own gear if you would like. Location: Wisconsin, 1-1:30 hr drive from Twin Cities (exact location will be communicated to students prior to event). Cost Per Person: $125 (Plus, one day WI fishing license and trout stamp @ $25) NOTE: Space is limited to 6 participants. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Fly Fishing: Intro, Part II (Southwest)

    Go fly fishing with Derrick Hanson from "Fish the Driftless"! This class is designed for people who have taken the Fly Fishing Intro course and are looking for more time on the water to practice and learn. Think of this class as an “assisted” fly fishing experience. The course will be spent entirely in the water. Here you’ll have a chance to work on your casting, read the water, select flies, tie your knots, and work towards achieving the perfect drifts to catch trout! The location will be different from the intro course so you’ll have the chance to explore a new river. Waders, boots, gear, and flies are provided. Taking the intro class is not a requirement, but some experience is necessary. Location: Southeast Minnesota, approximately one-hour drive from Twin Cities (exact location will be communicated to students prior to event). Cost Per Person: $175 (plus $24 Minnesota resident one-day fishing license and trout stamp) NOTE: Space is limited to four participants. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Graphic Design Software Essentials Certificate (Online at your own pace)

    The Adobe software tools are the leading software for graphic design. Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard computer illustration software. Use Illustrator to draw shapes and design logos, flyers, posters, banners, business cards or any other vector graphics for print or web. Adobe InDesign is the industry standard page-layout program that works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop seamlessly. InDesign allows you to create simple to complex multi-page documents such as brochures, flyers, books and magazines. Use Adobe Photoshop to effectively work with selection and editing tools, layers, and masks to edit, retouch and enhance existing images or create your own composite digital art work. Access to the Adobe software tools required. Courses: Adobe Illustrator Essentials Adobe Photoshop Essentials Adobe InDesign Essentials Software Requirements: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. More information on Adobe Creative Cloud software can be found at adobe.com Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Adobe Illustrator Essentials Unit 1: Getting to Know the Interface and Drawing Tools Interface menus, tools and panels. Working with various drawing and transformation tools Drawing anything from simple to complex shapes and illustrations. Unit 2: Working with Color and Text Working with color panels in the software Creating, managing and applying color and color groups Learning how to type and format text using various text formatting and styling tools and panels. Unit 3: Working with Layers and Pen tool Layers and layer management. Working with the Pen tool. Modifying a drawing using Pen tool options. Unit 4: Working with Artboards Creating and managing multiple Artboards Learning how to layout and design corporate package Business cards, letterhead and envelopes Creating print-ready PDF files Adobe Photoshop Essentials Unit 1: Getting to know the Interface and Selection Tools Interface menus Tools Panels Working with the various Selection tools Unit 2: Working with Layers and Masks Layers and layer management Non- destructive editing using masks How to type and format text Using various type formatting and style tools and panels Unit 3: Image Correction & Enhancement Photo correction and enhancement tools Crop, dodge and burn Recoloring, retouching Healing brushes Unit 4: Using the Drawing Tools How to use the Pen tool Other drawing tools in Photoshop Advanced drawing and selection File formats How to save files for print or web Adobe InDesign Essentials Unit 1: Getting to Know the Interface and Setting up a Document Interface menus Tools Panels Starting and setting up a multi-page document in InDesign Unit 2: Working with Objects and Color Learning to work with color panels Creating, managing and applying color to elements Inserting and managing images and illustrations into an InDesign document Unit 3: Working with Text Learning about insert and flow text to multiple pages Managing long text documents Text editing in InDesign documents Unit 4: Typography Advance typography tools and menus Character and paragraph settings and styles Creating print-ready PDF files.
  • Growing Water Knowledge Retreat by Land Song - The Acreage at Osceola (Southwest)

    We invite you to step into a collaborative space and join a transformative movement that honors water knowledge from diverse cultures and sciences. We will navigate the confluence of time-honored wisdom and innovative approaches, deepening our collective understanding, reverence for and stewardship of water across its many forms and functions. We will reconnect with our own relationship to water and water's essential role in sustaining life. Do you want to know more about the water you drink and work with on the land? Are you concerned about the quality of your water? Are you interested in increasing your personal health and hydration? Would you like to learn about the subtle energies and wisdom of water? Would you like to build a healthier relationship with water? Lindsay Rebhan and Paula Westmoreland will facilitate this weekend immersion into the body and spirit of water. During the weekend we will: Explore the latest scientific insights into the beauty and complexity of water. Learn the physical properties of water, watersheds, and the hydrological cycle. Experience guided water walks to local springs and the St Croix River. Uncover your personal water story and examine how your relationship with water influences your overall well being. Learn optimal ways to hydrate your body for increased health and mental clarity. Compare, test and observe differences between tap water, filtered water, and wild water. Recognize that like food, water quality varies significantly. Practice methods for filtering and structuring water to enhance its vitality and life-supporting properties. Create your personalized water plan with practical strategies to implement in daily life beyond the weekend. Water stories, water poems, water blessings, water play, and reflection time will be integrated into the experience. Saturday evening is a 'Celebration of Water', a time for participants to gather, process and engage with music and story facilitated by Ben Weaver. Ben is a father, poet, songwriter, and community builder. His music also provides the soundtrack for the weekend immersion. Event Details: Date & Time: October 4, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday Water Celebration 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, and October 5, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Address: The Acreage in Osceola, 1017 N Cascade St, Osceola, WI 54020. The Place: The Acreage in Osceola is a magnificent 360-acre expanse of woodland and prairie habitat overlooking the St. Croix River in western Wisconsin - a magical land with natural springs, wetlands, creeks and ponds. Our meeting place is The Stables, a renovated space that was the home of Horst Rechelbacher and Kiran Stordalen, founders of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients. The Food: You will be nourished with food from local regenerative farms prepared by a personal chef. There will be an open kitchen with snacks and warm and cold beverages. A light breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served on Saturday and a full breakfast on Sunday. Pricing: Pricing includes meals, snacks, drinks, hosting at the Acreage, day and a half guided workshop, a Water Workbook, printed materials, and the Saturday evening water celebration. $525/person Onsite lodging and childcare are optional and available! Lodging: Overnight stay is not required but can ease and enhance your experience. The Acreage has a limited number of luxurious lodging options including single rooms, shared rooms, and suites. Children: Activities, crafts, nature play, and indoor play spaces adjacent to our meeting rooms are provided to support families and parents to fully participate. Certified babysitters will be leading the activities. You will receive email instructions and links to lodging and childcare options once registered. You may contact lindsay@ecologicaldesign.land with any questions. Agenda: Practical Applications: Throughout the weekend, you'll discover practical techniques to build a deeper personal relationship with water and receive a Water Workbook to continue your journey. General Flow: Saturday Morning - Welcome, Physical Properties of Water, Hydrological Cycle and Life Cycle of Water, Water Walk to Natural Springs and St Croix River Lunch Afternoon - Personal Water Stories, Hydration Basics, Communicating with Water Water Happy Hour Free Time at The Acreage Dinner Evening - Water Celebration Sunday Breakfast Revelations, Reflections and Questions Water Activity Personal Water Plans Closing Organizations: Co-hosted by Land Song and Ecological Design. Ecological Design is a women-owned land planning company with 25+ years experience designing and implementing regenerative land systems. Our work encompasses broadacre farms, community-based farms, and Tribal food sovereignty projects and spans the entire lifecycle including land planning, site assessment, design, implementation, and land management. We embody learnings that include holistic management, traditional ecological knowledge, permaculture design, and regenerative agriculture. Land Song is a nonprofit collaborative committed to cultivating deeper relationships with land. We host retreats, workshops and land projects. Refund Policy: Full refund (-$50 admin fee) before September 4. 50% refund (-$50 admin fee) September 4-19. No refund after September 19 unless we can fill your spot. We will make every effort to do so. If event is sold out, please enroll on the waitlist. We will notify you if a ticket becomes available.
  • HR for Non HR Managers Certificate (Online at your own pace)

    You as a manager are on the front lines of human resources (HR) for your organization. Upskill your knowledge about HR. Conquer one of the essential competencies for a successful manager, moving up, and contributing to the productivity of your organization. Crush it with your people. Whether you work with a small organization or a large one with HR specialists, you play a critical role in creating a positive HR environment. Know what every manager needs to know about HR. Courses in this certificate must be taken in the following order: Your Roll in HR HR Aspects of Good Leadership Optimizing Performance and Employee Success Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Your Roll in HR Unit 1: The Role of Human Resources Concise breakdown on what HR is Overview of what HR professionals do Your role in HR as a manager Moving forward with confidence in your people management responsibilities Unit 2: Strategic HR: Human Capital and your Mission What HR outcomes you should target as a manager Developing your people goals Gaining access to cutting edge research Tapping evidence-based recommendations Boosting your human resources leadership with non-HR managerial skills. Unit 3: Onboarding The critical first few days and weeks The Onboarding process and tips Fostering peer relationships and support Establishing expectations The Onboarding outcomes and results Unit 4: Talent development and Organizational Goals Upskilling your employees Training for success Coaching for high performance Your role in employee retention Aligning your HR role with employees for organizational success HR Aspects of Good Leadership Unit 1: The Doctrine of Employment-At-Will The difference between federal & state employment-at-will laws. How at-will employment works in conjunction with the employee hiring, firing, disciplinary action & suspension process. Understanding employment-at-will violations (covenant of public policy, covenant of implied contracts, and covenant of good-faith and fair dealing). EEOC regulations that offer protection for employees in the workplace. Leadership actions that can work for, or against, company leaders if an employee files a claim/lawsuit. Unit 2: Effectively Dealing with Disruptors & Difficult Employees How to stop bad employee behavior before it gets out of hand. How to use company policies & work rules to set employee boundaries. How to effectively deal with workplace gossip, blame, narcissistic behavior, and passive-aggressive workers. Easy to learn skills, techniques & guidelines for successfully managing and addressing the most difficult employee personalities. Unit 3: Preventing Employee Threats & Threatening Behavior What constitutes threatening behavior in the workplace (implicit & explicit words/actions, open racial/religious prejudice, bullying, etc.). How to detect and address threatening behavior (against management or between co-workers). When to get HR and/or law enforcement involved. Properly documenting threatening incidents. Unit 4: Avoiding Complaints of Harassment, Retaliation & Unfair Treatment Do’s & Don’ts for effectively handling employee complaints & dealing with HR investigations. Liability issues for harassment & hostile work environment by supervisors/managers. Inappropriate work relationships that can create personal & legal issues for company leaders. Interpersonal skills that promote good leadership in today’s hectic legal-prone work environment. Optimizing Performance and Employee Success Unit 1: Define and Communicate Job Expectations Identify, create, and communicate job expectations. Collaborate with employees on job expectations. Connect employee behaviors to job performance. Describe performance expectations. Unit 2: Employee Engagement and Performance Management Apply tools and techniques for employee buy-in and commitment. Define intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Lead employees to take ownership of their own performance. Gain employee ownership and commitment. Unit 3: Documentation and the Performance Review Process Develop coaching skills. Practice giving performance feedback. Describe job performance using behavioral terms. Identify key aspect to include in the performance review. Unit 4: Create a High-Performance Team Culture Identify the vision for your team culture. Evaluate the behaviors that undermine your team culture. Evaluate the behaviors that support your team culture. Create a sustainable team culture for the future.
  • Haunted Stay at the Historic Celeste of St. Paul Hotel (Southwest)

    As the one-time Mother Superior of St. Agatha’s Conservatory and Convent, the current Celeste Hotel has always been a “work from home” situation for Sister Celeste! Join her and her capable associate Sister Margarita for a special overnight stay in this beautiful boutique hotel on the Eve of the Eve of All Hallows to hear about the history of Hallows’ Tide and tales of otherworldly behavior onsite, in the neighborhood, and beyond! (“Not all of the spirits are in the lounge!”) Includes a fireside appetizers and dinner in the cozy lounge. Sister Celeste & Sister Margarita will join us there to begin our Nooks and Crannies tour through the with stories and lore fit for the season! Tour finishes up in the Chapel Dining Hall where, as always, you’ll have a quiz with a chance to win your very own glow-in-the-dark rosary! 3:00 pm Hotel Check-In 5:00 pm Appetizer and dinner in the Fireside Lounge. Beverages available for purchase at the bar. 6:30 pm Haunted Hotel Tour with Sr. Celeste & Sr. Margarita. Breakfast included with your stay like "nun" other! 11:00 am Check Out on Oct 31st. Event held at Celeste of St. Paul Bar + Hotel, 26 E Exchange St., St. Paul, MN. If event is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will get in touch with you if tickets become available.
  • Historic Nicollet Island Walking Tour (Southwest)

    Nicollet Island may be most widely known as home to the Grain Belt Beer sign, re-lit in 2017. But the island's greatest claim to fame is as the site of the first bridge anywhere to cross the Mississippi River, in 1865. The following year, a referendum that would have made the island a public park failed. Instead the island developed as a microcosm of the city, with its own industrial, commercial and residential zones. Then in the 1970s and 1980s, the city succeeded in making much of the island into parkland after all. The tour takes in the entire 40-acre island, from the south tip overlooking St. Anthony Falls to the intact 19th century neighborhood at the north tip. Meet at . NOTE: This tour is @ 1 mile. There is one set of steps (just a few) and a gravel path that might be hard for a wheelchair on part of it, otherwise the route is accessible If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Horseback Riding at Lebanon Hills (Southwest):

    Explore the trails of scenic Lebanon Hills by horseback! We'll have an opportunity to brush and saddle horses, before the ride. Once everyone is up and comfortable on their horse, there will be a little bit of instruction, and then we'll head out on the trail. We'll enjoy a leisurely ride through restored prairies, cedar stands and past a lake. Once back at the trail head, we'll help take care of horses and share some treats with them. No experience needed. Weight Limit of 200#. 4 riders per session. Meets staff from HHH Ranch at Lebanon Hills Regional Park located in Dakota County just outside of Rosemount, MN. * If event is sold out, please add your name to the wait list. We will notify you if spots become available.
  • Indigenous Roots: East 7th Cultural Corridor Murals Walking Tour & Demo (Southwest)

    Join artists from Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center as we explore the many works of art along this vibrant East 7th Street Corridor of St. Paul. After the walk, we'll gather at Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center for a refreshments from the Roots Cafe and a demo on how artists create the amazing works we see all around our communities. Meet at Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center located at 788 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106. If class is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.
  • Intro to Glass Blowing (Summer)

    This class is great for beginners with or without any experience! The student will learn safety fundamentals, tool and torch usage, solid rod welding and gathering, color application, shaping, and more. Students will be able to create small trinkets, marbles, paper weights, plant rods, or anything else that can be thought of with the skills learned. Class Policies: Please arrive at your scheduled class a few minutes early to fill out applicable paperwork and receive assigned safety glasses. Liability waivers and emergency contact forms must be filled out in order to participate in class. These forms will be provided upon arrival, prior to your scheduled class. Requirements: No sandals or open footwear - shoes must have closed toes and heels No loose sleeves or long dangling necklaces/bracelets Long hair must be tied back Please come to class fed and hydrated - standing is required for the duration of class for optimal safety. [A chair may be provided if needed for medical reasons] Recommendations: Cotton or natural fiber clothing recommended (It’s best to avoid synthetic clothing as it could melt in the case of an accident) It is highly recommended that you bring water to drink Free street parking will be available to all students in the front of the building. There is typically ample parking available on our block. If a student arrives to class inebriated they will be asked to leave, for safety purposes. Students will not receive a refund in this case.
  • Introduction to Fiction Writing (Online at your own pace)

    Designed specifically for those with little to no fiction writing experience, find your pathway towards your fiction writing goals. Learn the basic building blocks of story: character, plot and setting. Then find out the different forms of fiction writing and some of the genres you might like to explore. Whether you’ve never written a word of fiction, or haven’t written since high school or college, you will complete the course with the skills you need to get started. Create a new work of fiction, or revive an old one that’s been sitting in your bottom drawer. Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Unit 1: The building blocks of story Character Conflict Setting Plot and story structure Short story versus novel Who are we writing for? Unit 2: Character and conflict Protagonists and antagonists Secondary characters Character archetypes Character desires, conflicts and stakes Dialogue Unit 3: Setting and plot Contemporary versus fantastical and historical settings Setting as character Three act plot structure and the hero’s journey Time jumps and flashbacks Prologues and epilogues Unit 4: Putting it all together Strategies for outlining Character-driven versus plot-driven outlines Overcoming writer’s block Researching markets Creating a marketing plan
  • Introduction to Strategic Planning (Online at your own pace)

    Move your career up with the 21st Century leadership skills of Strategic Planning. Every organization needs to position itself differently for success in this century. And only leaders can both create a successful strategic plan and oversee its implementation. Create a new leadership skill that will last a lifetime, and outlast industry and career changes. Come away with both the conceptual tools and a new leadership approach to move from dreams to reality for your organization, and your career. This class can be taken on its own or as part of the Strategic Planning Certificate. Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class Details: Unit 1: Think differently What Strategic Planning Is, and Isn’t Strategic Planning is What Leaders Do How to think strategically - - it’s different Why strategic plans fail Unit 2: The 6 Components of Strategic Planning Building the approach Constructing objectives Forming strategies Assigning tactics Unit 3: Needs assessment, Market research, Environmental scanning Finding trends and industry directions Scanning the environment An 8 Stage Model for Needs Assessment and Marketing Research Scoping out your competition for strategic planning Unit 4: Your Vision as a Leader Matching the market with your vision Never have one idea (and why) When hunches work, when they don’t Where do you want to go
  • Kayaking: Exploring the Gorge and Lock 1 with Paddle Bridge and Friends of the Mississippi (Southwest)

    This trip meets at Hidden Falls Regional Park before shuttling up to our launch point at Bohemian Flats Park. Once there, our experienced guides will give a short safety and paddling demo before setting off with you on a 6.5-mile journey through the beautiful Mississippi River Gorge. The Gorge: A canyon-like stretch of river with 150-foot-high sandstone cliffs, carved out over 11,000 years by the same waterfall that landed Minneapolis on the map! Before the end, you will descend through Lock and Dam Number 1, the largest active lock on the whole river. A quick-flowing mile later, we’ll get off the river at Hidden Falls Regional Park. **What to bring:** Dress for water! Wear lightweight clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting wet — hot tip, have a dry layer in your car to change into after just in case Hats and sunglasses for the glare off the water Sunscreen/water bottle - guides should have extra, but we encourage use of a reusable water bottle to lessen reliance on single-use plastics Snacks for your guide - just kidding, but never a bad idea for yourself Roughly a 3.5-hour trip. 1:00 PM: Shuttle from Hidden Falls Regional Park to Bohemian Flats Park. Board kayaks and depart from Bohemian Flats Park. 4:30 PM: Approximate return time to Hidden Falls Regional Park. Space is limited. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitist. We will contact you if a tickets become available.
  • Lake Minnetonka Sightseeing Cruise: Celebrating 50 Years of Southwest Community Education - August 10 (Southwest)

    Cruise Time is 12:00 - 1:30 pm. Join us for this narrated tour on Lake Minnetonka, one of America’s most popular lakes! Learn about the lake history, past and present, as you enjoy a relaxing cruise. On-board concessions and beverage service available. 11:30 AM-Boarding 12:00 PM Boat Departs 1:30 PM-Approximate Return Time Boat departs from the Port of Excelsior. Address: 2 Water St, Excelsior, MN 55331 If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if a spot becomes available.
  • Leading Virtual Teams

    Discover the keys to communicating with and managing remote workers, one of the fastest growing sectors of the workforce. Some 80% of employers are keeping some or many of their employees working from home part of the week. People working from home are 25% more productive than those who work in an office. Working from home is here to stay. Tap into the experience of a CEO who has been managing remote workers for 22 years. He has pioneered the fundamental processes and procedures you won’t get anywhere else. And consulted with organizations around North America on managing remote workers. Courses: Communicating with Virtual Teams Managing Remote Workers Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Communicating with Virtual Teams Unit 1: Understanding the Remote Workplace The economics of the new Knowledge Society Organizational benefits from remote workers Employee benefits of working from home How remote work improves productivity Unit 2: Advanced Tips on Working from Home The essentials of successful Remote Work Remote Workflow and Work Day Peak work time and the new work rules Coping with guilt and work stress The 5 bad habits newbie remote workers acquire Unit 3: Issues in Working from Home Transitioning office-centered workers Establishing social contact and meetings Late night emails and establishing boundaries Miscommunication online and the solutions Work Solutions for Personal time and needs Making weekends personally rewarding and organizationally productive Unit 4: Communicating with Remote Workers Virtual office communication software Synchronous tools and tips Asynchronous tools and tips The need and role of the new ‘water cooler’ Managing Remote Workers Unit 1: Moving work from Activity to Outcomes Rewriting job descriptions Designing the virtual work week Assigning work Gaining Buy-In Unit 2: Supervising Remote Workers Documenting work Transparency and reporting Addressing underperforming workers Personal time vs. work time Unit 3: Running Effective Virtual Meetings A written agenda is critical Socializing in the virtual meeting Running discussions online How to include and involve everyone Unit 4: Working with Your Superiors Documenting the impact of remote work Making the case for a virtual corporate culture Techniques to convince The future of remote work and virtual offices
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    Salem State Archives (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)

    Let's Probate an Actual Minnesota Estate (Summer)

    In this class we will walk-thru (in depth) an actual Minnesota Probate Estate from the filing of the Application for Probate to the Final Accounts . . . and all the steps in between. Class participants will learn the entire process with current forms, Court and filing requirements, accounting and procedural steps, as well as the procedures for the sale and distribution of estate assets. We will also discuss the roles, responsibilities, and liabilities of a person who is appointed as the Executor/Personal Representative. The class will be filled with real-life examples and solutions to the multitude of issues involving a typical (or not typical) Minnesota Probate Estate. This class encourages questions: Is there a “reading of the Will”? What about personal items? Does the Executor get paid? What about estate bills and creditors? We will provide the answers.
  • Lost Souls Cave Tour (Southwest)

    A special Cave Tour that focuses on the Haunted events that still occurs at the caves. Recently declared as Winner of the Most Haunted Place in Minnesota by Star Tribune. The tour guide will be a haunted character, but the tour is not intended to be frightening. It all started during the 1930's with the unsolved gangland murder at the casino. Some believe the caves are haunted by the murdered mobsters whose bodies were never found. Haunted happenings have taken place ever since. We have so many stories, we can’t fit them into 1 hour. We have selected our best stories and conclude the tour with a slide show! Bring your cameras. Caves are handicap accessible with ramps and bathrooms. Please arrive by 3:15 pm. Transportation is on your own. The Wabasha Street Caves are located at 215 Wabasha Street in St. Paul, MN. NOTE: If this lot is full there is another lot available next door at Health Partners. (205 Wabasha Ave. S. - Enter on Plato Blvd.) The Gift Shop with bathroom located right outside cave entrance may be open before the tour but not after. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday! Transportation to the caves is on your own. If tour is sold out, please add your name to the wait list. We will contact you if tickets become available. Thank you!
  • Management Certificate (Online at your own pace)

    Enhance your management skills through this program for supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders. Nothing creates success like a solid foundation. Discover the keys for effectively managing your employees. Find out how to create clear expectations, engage and motivate employees, and increase your effectiveness. Then you will explore the principles of collaborative management and gain insight on how to expand your collaborative skills for success of your team or organization. Finally, get the keys to manage different generations in your workplace. Discover what motivates each generation at work, what incentives they respond to, and what messages they value. Courses: Management Boot Camp Collaborative Management Managing Generations in the Workplace Courses are online and asynchronous, meaning students may login to the classroom anytime during the course session, day or night, 24/7. For more information, go to our Online Professional Development Certificates & Courses FAQ Class details: Management Boot Camp Unit 1: Fundamentals of Management How to determine, set, and communicate job expectations Linking employee behaviors to performance Describing performance expectations Increasing employee commitment and pride and evaluate performance Unit 2: Employee Engagement Motivating and engaging employees to get the job done Tools and techniques to increase employee buy-in and commitment How to communicate with employees and get them involved and engaged in their own performance evaluations Unit 3: Increasing your Success Part 1 Enhancing your ability to manage effectively In-depth analysis of the behaviors of your style Unit 4: Increasing your Success Part 2 Behaviors that inhibit your ability to manage effectively Advanced analysis of the behaviors of your management style Collaborative Management Unit 1: Principles of collaboration in management Defining principles of collaboration Emotions, self-mastery and collaboration Redirecting teams and group collaboration Conflict management and facilitation Unit 2: Relationship building Building relationships fundamentals Renegotiating failed relationships Managing collaborative potentials Unit 3: Strategies to tap into group collaborative potential Harnessing collaborative energy Responsible communication Managing collaboration for performance Unit 4: Your action plan for collaborative management Setting your management goals Identify and utilize collaborative resources Creating a collaborative management action plan Managing Generations in the Workplace Unit 1: What makes these generations different The transition from the Industrial Age to the Internet Age How society shapes us Who are the Boomers? Who are Xers? Who is Gen Y? Unit 2: Evolving standards of hard work and success Knowledge work and the value of time Time as key to profitability The focus on outcomes The problem with meetings A new type of leadership Unit 3: What motivates generations at work Monetary and non-monetary rewards Key role of the “boss” A balanced life Lateral career moves Second careers Supporting social causes Retirement reservations Unit 4: Work styles and technology Customizing work styles and processes Peak work time and place A new role for technology and work Working collaboratively Modern recruitment
  • Marc Heu Patisserie Paris Tasting & Demo with Chef Marc Heu (Southwest)

    Join us for night of delectable bites and artistic Parisian romance featuring a live demonstration from James Beard nominated Chef Marc Heu. Includes tasting buffet and gratuity. Limited capacity event. Marc Heu Patisserie Paris is located at 156 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55102. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.